We are a global organisation

Colliers International is one of the first truly global commercial real estate organisations, formed more than 30 years ago as a network of independent firms. This collaboration provided clients with expert local real estate knowledge around the world.

As client needs evolved to demand consistent service, accountability and interconnected resources, this challenged many independent firms. Colliers recognised the market opportunity to provide higher quality, more reliable service through an integrated platform of professionals and property services.

Our capital partner, FirstService Corp., which began investing in Colliers International in 2004, has enabled us to expand our platform to offer clients complementary services and client resources.

We proudly trace our roots back to a local firm founded 1898, with many of our local offices tracing their roots back even further. Today, we hold onto those local roots by steadily growing our business through local expertise, successfully completing more than 30 mergers and acquisitions in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

A few key milestones

Colliers begins

Our name originated in Australia, where Colliers International was founded through the collaboration of three property services firms in 1976. We are named in honor of Ronald Collier, who was a chartered surveyor and respected mentor to the founders, Robert McCuaig, Bill McHarg and George Duncan. This photo was taken in the late 1970s at our first national sales conference.

The Colliers family grows

In 1984, Colliers International joined forces with Macaulay Nicolls Maitland, leading the shift in our industry from regional real estate companies to global services organizations. This prompted MNM to change its name to Colliers Macaulay Nicolls and later to Colliers International. CEO John McLernon led the charge to form partnerships worldwide; Colliers is now in 522 offices in 62 countries.

Colliers leads the way

Colliers expands into emerging markets including Central Europe and Latin America. Growth in Asia Pacific continues, with operations in 20 markets by 1986.

A strong capital partner

In 2004, FirstService Corporation invests in the CMN, Inc., the former Colliers Macaulay Nicolls portion of Colliers International, enabling us to expand our platform to offer clients complementary services such as project management, hospitality consulting and valuation and appraisal services. CMN grows to become become the largest member-owner of Colliers International.

Further expansion

A refreshed, powerful brand

The Colliers International brand is united in 2010, with all partner firms committed to working under a single brand name, mission and business principles. All offices are accountable to a clear corporate structure with six regional CEOs (in Asia, Australasia, Canada, EMEA, Latin America and the US).

Did you know?

Colliers was one of the first global companies to enter into Asia, Central Europe and Latin America. We're committed to providing our clients with access to emerging markets around the world.

Our Mission

Colliers International is the leader in global real estate services, defined by our spirit of enterprise. Through a culture of service excellence, and a shared sense of initiative, we integrate the resources of real estate specialists worldwide to accelerate the success of our partners.